Considering
how badly George Bush has managed to get his you-know-what caught in a
ringer, this is not a half-bad time at all for a play like "With
Love From Ramallah." People have had an opportunity, especially in
the light of recent developments, to entertain the notion that the sainted
United States of America does not walk on water after all. And that life
on the other side of the equation might just be lived by actual human
beings whose thoughts, feelings, experience and general existence matter
just as much as yours and mine. The script by Kathryn Haddad and Juliana
Pegues looks at the Arab American community and the dynamics of both those
currently living in America and those currently living in the Middle East.
It deals with issues of immigration, isolation and occupation, exploring
a universal concept—the human spirit's strong capacity for survival.
Taking place both on the West Bank of the Mississippi River (in Minneapolis)
and the West Bank of the River Jordan (in Ramallah), the play depicts
life for Arab immigrants in post 9/11 America and life for Palestinians
in Ramallah during one of the most severe political crises in the Middle
East to date. Audience discussions, which take place after the Friday
and Saturday evening performances, should prove very interesting indeed.
Produced by Mizna. June 3 - 13. Thu. - Fri. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 2
& 7:30 p.m.; Sun. June 6, 2 p.m.; Wed. June 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sun. June
13, 7:30 p.m. Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. 612-338-6131.
(Dwight Hobbes)

The Decemberists @ The 400 Bar

Pirate
rock is here! Portland, Oregon's the Decemberists have made it safe for
generations of future swashbuckling tunesmiths to swab the indie-rock
deck—garnering insanely rapturous press for their period-piece pop.
It's not surprising to learn that head Decemberist Colin Meloy holds a
degree in creative writing—there aren't too many other songwriters
out there spinning tales of Spanish gypsies and Turkish prostitutes. Fleshing
out Meloy's trusty acoustic songs with some flashy and eccentric accoutrements
courtesy of his bandmates (most notably Jenny Conlee's accordion playing),
the Decemberists have come up with a style of skewed sea-shanty pop all
their own—and are reaping the benefits. Their current tour will
be previewing songs from their next album, their third in as many years,
which they plan to record this summer for the Kill Rock Stars label. Nearing
the top of the indie-rock popularity heap thanks to some heavy media exposure
The Decemberists are mostly playing 1,000 person venues on this current
tour—and selling them out. Which makes it all the more amazing that
tickets are still available for their show at the significantly smaller
capacity 400 Bar as of the time of this writing. So … what are you
waiting for? With Long Winters and Places. 9 p.m. $12. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903.
(Rob van Alstyne)

The Agronomist @ U Film

This
documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand Caribbean
politics. Director Jonathan Demme is best known for “Silence of
the Lambs,” but he has produced a number of smaller gems like “Swimming
to Cambodia” (a Spalding Gray monologue) and three previous documentaries
about Haiti. “The Agronomist” is the story of Jean Dominque,
an agronomist who turned to radio as a tool to educate peasants about
the reality of their government. His Radio Haiti was critical of Papa
Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier. He was an early supporter of Jean Bertrand
Aristide and democracy in Haiti, but he was never a blind sycophant. He
courageously questioned Aristide in a live interview about payoffs from
the rich oligarchs. He defied police thugs and recorded the sounds of
the Army firing machine guns at the outside of his studio on more than
one occasion. He is a portrait of revolutionary courage and joy. If you
want to know about the struggle for justice in Haiti, you must see this
film. You must know Jean Dominque. June 4-10. 7:15 & 9:15
p.m. + 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. U Film, Bell Museum, 17th &
University Aves. SE, Mpls. http://www.mnfilmarts.org. (Ed Felien)

Independent Media Fair @ Spirit of the Lakes Church

There's
an alternative to pitching your radio out the window after hearing a local
Rush-Limbaugh-wannabe: KFAI. When you suspect the Strib hasn't told the
whole story, there's (usually unheard) voices and perspectives right here
in your hand, as well as other papers like Indy-Media's Free Press and
the ARISE! Journal. Public access cable includes programs like "Altera
Vista" with national and international progressives, or the weekly
civil liberties program produced by the Minnesota chapter of the ACLU.
Cyber-space also provides infinite possibilities for investigative reporting.
The Twin Cities Counter-Propaganda Coalition is hosting an Independent
Media Fair featuring a roundtable discussion, workshops and ways to connect
with these entities and more. Like former Dead Kennedy's frontman Jello
Biafra says, "Don't hate the media. BECOME the media!"
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. Spirit of the Lakes Church, 2930 13th Ave. S. (at
East Lake St.), Mpls. For info: John Slade 612-827-1894. http://www.counter-prop.org.
(Lydia Howell)
Mini Woodstock on Wheels @ First Avenue

I'll
be the first to admit it's a bit odd to attach the word "Woodstock"
to a collaborative concert featuring experimental local rock bands like
A Whisper in the Noise and Cloud Cult. What sort of "Woodstock"
can take place without rocking debauchery? Clearly First Avenue is hosting
a kinder, gentler festival (it's unlikely Fred Durst will turn up to start
any riots). This event is meant to showcase more than just music and will
be featuring participants from all over the creative spectrum. The music
will be augmented by performance arts, live painters, enviro-art gallery,
dancers and more—and unlike Woodstock '99 water won't cost you $10
a bottle! With Cloud Cult, Umbrella Sequence, A Whisper In The Noise,
If Thousands. 5 p.m. $3 adv/ $7 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N.,
Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Louis Lenzmeier)

“How Was the Show?” 3rd Anniversary
Party @ The Dinkytowner

Celebrating
three years of obsessively documenting the Twin Cities concert scene,
howwastheshow.com curator David DeYoung has managed to cobble together
a great bill for the cause (which coincidentally doubles as DeYoung's
second annual 39th birthday party). An all local bill equally rich in
classic power-pop (the Beatifics, the Vestals) as laid-back acoustic acts
(Martin Devaney, Ben Connelly, Big Ditch Road), there should be something
for everyone. Don't miss the chance to catch the birthday boy himself
perform two songs of his own creation live with the Vestals as his backing
band. So, how will this show be? Kick-ass.With (in order of appearance)
Apryl Electra, Ben Connellly, Martin Devaney, Big Ditch Road, The Vestals
and The Beatifics. 8 p.m. $3.90. 21+. 412 ½ 14th Ave. SE,
Mpls. 612-362-0427. (van Alstyne)

Dances from the Rooftop of the World@ Ted Mann Concert Hall

Lhamo,
the classical theater of Tibet, is the most traditional medium of Tibetan
entertainment. Relying strongly on music and dance to tell stories, Lhamo
most closely resembles a Western opera. Stories, dances and the music
were passed down from the 14th century and were an integral part of daily
life with stories of national historic significance or legends of gods
or heroes. During the 1950s the communist Chinese government invaded Tibet
and changed the themes of their theater productions to serve the government's
agenda. Having survived the assault on their culture, many Tibetans fled
to Minnesota, which now has the second highest Tibetan population in the
United States. In an effort to raise money to refurbish its Community
Cultural Center, The Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota is sponsoring
the world-renowned Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in its performance
of "Dances from the Rooftop of the World: An Evening in Tibet."
Experience a piece of culture thousands of years old and help preserve
what remains. 7:45 p.m. $33. Ted Mann Concert Hall, West Bank
U of M, 2128 4th St. S., Mpls. 612-624-2345. (Katie Bodin)

Red Hot Art
@ Stevens Square Park

For
those of you who are turned off by the big art fairs, this one might be
more your speed. Just south of Downtown, the Stevens Square neighborhood
offers a chance to find out what its neighborhood artists are up to. One
of the highlights to seek out is the Pollack-inspired paint-throwing canvas
by the neighborhood children's mentorship program Youth Arts Studio. In
addition, there will be more than 50 local, emerging artists showing and
selling their works. You can also catch modern, traditional and break
dance performances, puppetry, music and, of course, plenty of food to
feed the starving artists. Sat. June 5 - Sun. June 6. Noon - 7
p.m. Stevens Square Park, 19th & Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-871-7307.
(Bodin)

The 8th Annual Grand Young Day @ The Turf Club

It's
that time once again, Neil-heads, local music nuts, and smart Sunday drinkers,
to deliberately sidestep the teeming masses of sweaty humanity clogging
up the streets on and around the Grand Old Day celebration and head on
down to St. Paul's Turf Club for Grand Young Day. Now in its 8th year,
the annual tribute to Canadian powerhouse rocker/songwriter Neil Young
has once again (like Neil's career) melted and morphed into a different
beast. In past years, we've seen the Turf gang and their fellow Young-o-philes
present a boatload of various takes on the man's music, but this time
out has to be the most challenging yet. Dozens of local and national artists
will join forces to present Grandpa Granola's overwhelming catalog in
a genre of their own choosing. You might hear "Rockin' In The Free
World" crooned a la' Sinatra, or "Pocahontas" growled out
via a thrash metal groove. Word is, there'll be plenty of that as well
as Young tunes done up in blues, country, surf, and rock opera-style.
Most
interesting of all, though, is the rumor that there'll be some newly founded
genres made up by the performers. This year's lineup includes hosts The
Mammy Nuns, as well as Ol' Yeller, Grand Champeen, Jambalaya, Baby Grant
Johnson, Stingray Green, Dan Gaarder, Accident Clearinghouse, Kruddler,
That's What You Get, BBLIM, Holy Cowboys, Hyde Bros., Outlaw Family Band,
Crooked Eye, Randall Throckmorton, and scads more. Acoustic acts will
take the old stage from 3 to 5 p.m., and electric acts will run from 5
p.m. to closing. The only better place for a Neil Young (or a local music)
fan to be on this day would be at a show featuring the man himself. Don't
miss it! 3 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling
Aves., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. (Tom Hallett)

Mount Eerie, Walker Kong @ The Triple Rock Social Club

Riding
the release of the Microphones' most recent effort Mount Eerie (a project
main Microphoner Phil Elvrum apparently enjoyed so much he decided to
change the name of his group in honor of it), Elvrum and crew will be
back in town yet again, performing their branded version of concept-noise
rock for hordes of cowboy shirt wearing, tote bag carrying indie-kids.
The new concept record focuses on the elemental aspects of the band's
Olympian surroundings like wind, water and fire. Mount Eerie—Elvrum's
new moniker (don't say the Microphones anymore, you'll be uncool)—pushes
the boundaries of what critics expect from most bedroom projects. For
an established artist, especially in the indie-rock scene, it's difficult
to push a concept album—just look at David Bowie. Elvrum's latest
creation, however, has shown remarkable staying power. Local rockers Walker
Kong round out the bill with their written-softly-played-loud-power-pop,
led by Jeremy Ackerman's "I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us
kid" attitude. Their recent release, the anglophile pop leaning Transparent
Life, has brought increasing interest in the band. Expect a "ready
to rock" attitude.With Woelv and Thunder in the Valley.6
p.m. $6. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls, 612-333-7399. (Ian
Anderson)